Folding display stand



Feb. 7, 1933. J. E. BALES FOLDING DISPLAY STAND Filed Dec. 14. 1931 I i J I Uliiiiii Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES, E. BALES, or AURORA, ILL NoIs, ASSIGNOR TO. LYON METAL raonncrs, INCORPORATED, F non-ORA, ILLINoIs, A coRPoaA'IIoN or ILLINo s FOLDING DISPLAY STAND Application filed December 14, 1931. Serial No. 580,768.

This invention relates to display stands tively small article and which, when unfolded or extended, is neat and ornamental in appearance, rigid and efficient in construction and may be readily and economically manufactured. Another object of the invention is to provide a folding display stand having certain pivoted parts so that the device is capable of being folded into agrelatively small com pact article for storage and shipment purposes.

Another object is toprovide a strong and durable display stand having trays or shelves pivotally connected to certain parts of the stand and pivoted thereto so that the trays or shelves are folded relative to the stand so that when the stand is folded, the entire stand, including the pivotally mounted trays or shelves, will be folded into a relatively small space.

A further object is to provide a novel display stand which is rigid when in extended position and capable of being self supporting and which may be folded to occupy a relatively small amount of space.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

, Fig. 1 is a detail front elevation of the improved folding display stand embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail longitudinal sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

V Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal sectional view showing the device in collapsed or folded position.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the stand in folded or collapsed position taken on the line 44 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation showing the location of certain parts when the stand is in collapsed position.

Fig. 6 is a detail elevation showing certain of the parts connected in extended position.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a double faced display stand.

The display stand comprises spaced rigid uprights or supports 10 and 11 which are preferably made L-shaped in cross section having angularly disposed legs 12 and 13. Supporting legs 14 are pivoted at 15 to the uprights 10 and 11 and are also angularly constructed from sheet metal having legs 16 and 17 which are disposed at right angles to each other. Cross braces 18 and 19 are fixed to the uprights 10 and 11 as indicated at 20 and are rigidly connected, such as by spot ipvelding, to each other as indicated at 21,

pen front sheet metal shelves 22 are piv- 7 oted at their inner ends as indicated at 23 and comprise bottoms 24 from which sides and backs 25 and 26 respectively are bent. The bottom 24 of each shelf 22 may be bent downwardly at the forward edge of the shelf as indicated at 27 to provide a reinforcing flange along the front of the shelf and then crimped back against itself as indicated at 28 to make a smooth clear edge, Figs. 2 and 4. 8 The forward edges of the shelves are pivoted at 29 to a brace or band 30,, the band extending from the bottom shelf to the support 10 and connected to the legs 12 of the supports at 31. The legs 12 are provided with holes 32 which are adapted to be brought in alinement with holes 33 in the braces or bands 30. A bolt 34 passes through the alined holes 32 and 33 and a wing nut 35, Fig. 6, on thebolt 34 clamps the parts rigidly together to hold the shelves in horizontal position. When, however, it is desired to collapse or fold the stand, the bolt 34 is removed, thereby permitting movability of the band or brace 30 to permit collapsing movement of the display stand, the stand, when collapsed, being in the position shownin Fig. 3. A sheet metal sign 36 may be fastened at its upper edges to the supports 10 and 11 by bolts and nuts 37. At the lower f or 44 are free to move on their pivots.

ends of the legs 14 the legs or arms 16 are cut away as indicated at 38 and the arm or leg 17 is looped over and folded against itself as indicated at 39 to provide a foot or support for the supporting leg.

In Fig. 7 a double faced display stand is provided and comprises a rigid upper support 40 which is made of L-shaped members 41 having their legs 42 welded or otherwise rigidly connected together. The outwardly extending legs form flanges 43 upon which the lower supporting legs 44 are pivoted as indicated at 45. Shelves 46 constructed exactly in accordance with the shelves 22, have their inner ends pivoted at 47 and their outer ends pivoted at 48 to a brace or band 49. The braces or bands 49 are provided with holes 50 which aline with holes provided in the upper rigid support 40 and through which bolts, having wing nuts 35, pass for the purpose of holding the device rigidly together when in extended position. A sign 36 is fastened to the uprights 40 in the same manner in which it is attached to the supports 10 and 11. Braces 52 are also connected to the legs 44 in the same manner as described relative to the braces 18 and 19.

When the device is in extended or folded position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the de- P vice is rigid due to the fact that collapsibility is prevented by the bolt and nut connection with the uprights and the braces or bands. When it is desired to fold the device, the bolts 34 are removed whereby the legs 14 Also the shelves are free to move on their pivots with the legs and the braces permitting collapsibility of the entire structure. When the stand is collapsed, whether it be the stand shown in Fig. 1 or the double faced stand as shown 'in Fig. 7, the shelves 22 will be folded against the inward extending back legs of the supporting legs and between the forwardly extending legs to which they are pivoted. The band or brace is also free to collapse and be folded against the uprights due to the pivotal connection with the shelves.

After the stand has been collapsed and it is desired to extend it again, all that is necessary is to pull the band away from the uprights a predetermined distance until the holes in the band and the uprights aline after which time bolt 34 is inserted through the alined holes and clamped in position by the thumb or wing nuts 35.

The invention provides a rigid and durable display stand which is light in weight, which has rigidly supported shelves pivoted at both ends to permit the shelves to be folded along with the band of the stand.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall Within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows 1. A collapsible frame comprising a vertical supporting member having its lower end adapted to rest upon a base such as a floor, a lower member extending outwardly at an angle from the supporting member and having its upper end pivoted to the supporting member, the lower end of said lower member adapted to engage the same base as the lower end of the supporting member, an upper member parallel to the lower member and having its lower end spaced from the said base, the upper end of said upper member being pivotally and disconnectedly fastened to the supporting member, and spaced shelves carried by the frame, said shelves having their inner ends pivoted to the lower member and their outer ends pivoted to the upper member.

2. A collapsible frame member comprising a vertical supporting member, a lower member extending at an angle from the supporting member and having its upper end pivoted to the supporting member, the lower end of said lower member engaging the floor, an upper member parallel to the lower member and having its lower end spaced from the floor, the upper end of said upper member being pivoted to the supporting member, one of said. pivots being disconnectable so as to permit folding of the frame, and spaced shelves carried by the frame, said shelves having their inner ends pivoted to the lower member and their outer ends pivoted to the upper member.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JAMES E. BALE'S. 

